Horsetail Fall is near El Capitan. Every Feb, when the sun is right, water is running and the skies are clear at sunset, it glows red like the photo. It only happens in Feb.

Some people erroneously cal lit “The Firefall” – wrong. THAT was in Curry Village from 1872 until 1968. See more story on this.

I got skunked a few years ago. It has gotten really crowded as everyone wants their own picture. Now it’s jammed. Soooo, the park is starting a permit system to park down there. You now have to have one of 250 available permits to park on Northside drive. This is only between Feb 12-26. No one knows when it may occur, if at all. With this year’s lack of precipitation, the water may not be running out of the fall. It only happens for about 5 minutes as the sun sets. Push and shove for the ultimate “best view.”

The long and the short of it is you need to get a free permit to park there. Then haul your tripod and gear down about a mile to get set up. 250 permits will be given out for each day. Then 50 will be available on a walk-up basis. Unless you are a local….you better get a room and hang out and wait. You also will need to get over to the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley on the day reserved.

Go to this website to learn more. Good luck.

Carpe Diem!Unrelated thought worth quoting:“Sleeping sunsets sweat their beauty, melting at your feet. Take your mind through sacred fire leaving you complete. Let the flames burn you so hard, there can be no retreat.” – ArthurBrownRead “One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome

“Entrances to the parks will remain open and businesses within the parks may continue to operate under contingency plans now being finalized with the Park Service. The medical clinic at Yosemite Valley will remain open and public safety personnel will remain on duty. Reservations will continue to be honored at concession venues and the parks will be administered. “

This includes facilities such as campgrounds, full-service restrooms, and gift shops inside visitor centers. Park officials said that “national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures.”

Visitors to the park may still arrive – except for security, safety etc, Rangers will not be on duty. This will help ameliorate any major impacts to civilians in the local area. Financial advisors suggest individuals maintain one month’s contingency saving.

In 2013, Yosemite GS employees were not permitted to work and could pursue other activities. They were on standby for that impasse to be broken – they then returned to work and their back-pay reinstated.